Caustic ulcers caused by cement

Seven similar cases with deep ulceration probably due to wet cement are presented. Within 12 hours after making a concrete floor in a kneeling position, curved ulcers developed on both sides of both patellae. The exposure time varied from 2 to 6 h. One patient got wet concrete into her boots and, consequently, ulcers developed on her feet. The high alkalinity of calcium hydroxide in wet cement was the only apparent causative agent in every case.     

X-ray diffraction patterns in human dentin, enamel and synthetic apatities related to Zn concentration

Abstract – The Crystalliazation of human dentin and enamel containing different concentrations of Zn was Studied using X-ray diffraction analysis. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Go, Ni, Sr and Pb in the samples were determined by atomic absorption apectrophotomelry. The concetration foF was Assayed with a combination fluoride electrode. The increase of the Zn ceoncentration (ug/g) from 150 to 572 in dentin was found to intensify apatite refectins indicating changes paralled to c-axis.A slight increase parallel to a-axis (or better crystallization) of latices was demonstrated in both dentin and enarnel. The increase of Zn concentratin from 164 ug/g inenamel weakened 002 and 112 reflections. The effect of Zn on the crystallinitv of svnthetic apatite drepareda at 37°C was of the same kind as its effect onthe dentin.     

Enamel bonding plastic materials in modifying the form of abutment teeth for the better functioning of partial prostheses

The potential uses of enamel bonding sealants and composite filling materials in increasing the retentive form of abutment teeth and covering the preparations for the occlusal supports of partial prostheses were studied in laboratory conditions. The materials tested were Nuva and Concise sealants and composite resins. Extracted permanent human molars, premolars and canines were inserted into acrylic blocks, two teeth in each block. An unretentive clasp framework was made on every test block. A retention prominence was built up separately of sealants and of composite materials occlusally to the tip of each clasp arm. The bond strength and wear resistance of the materials was tested in a device designed for this study. The bond of the prominences was very good, only two out of 114 prominences loosened. The retention gained with prominences was, on average, 18 N measured by the force needed for removal. The decrease in the total retention of the four clasp arms was measured by the force needed to remove the clasp framework. The total retention of the prominences made of Nuva and Concise sealants after 5000 removals was 53 and 50% of the original, when long, flexible clasp arms were used. The corresponding figures for composite resins were 56 and 59%. Short rigid clasp arms caused a distinctly faster abrasion. The prominences made of sealants, in particular, were abraded rapidly, one-fifth of retention being left after 3000 removals.     

Comparison of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to Actinomyces and Arachnia species

Abstract – Polyclonal (PoAbs) and monoclonal (MoAbs) antibodies were produced to Actinomyces israelii serotypes 1 and 2, to Actinomyces naeslundii, and to Arachnia propionica, and their specificities were studied by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). All PoAbs except those to A. propionica reacted also with at least one other Actinomyces species. Only the MoAb to A. naeslundii proved to be more specific than the corresponding PoAbs. This MoAb did not cross-react with other Actinomyces or Arachnia species, nor with any other anaerobic or aerobic bacteria studied by inhibition EIA. Immunoblotting studies indicated that the antibody specific to A. naeslundii is directed against a large molecular weight antigen (>150 kd), probably polysaccharide in nature. The produced PoAbs and MoAbs can be used for further analyses of the antigenic determinants of different Actinomyces and Arachnia species.     

VALIDITY OF THE PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING: FOLLOWUP STUDY WITH A BANK OF 21,000 SERA IN FINLAND

PURPOSE: We investigate the validity of prostate specific antigen (PSA) as a screening test for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A registry of serum samples drawn from 1968 to 1976 from 21,387 men was linked to the Finnish Cancer Registry. During followup from 1968 to 1991, 104 prostate cancers were identified. A matched case control design with incidence density sampling and nested in the serum sample bank was applied, and PSA was assessed. RESULTS: The estimated sensitivity of the test was 44% and specificity 94% at a cutoff of 4.0 microg./l. in the total material. The sensitivity had improved to 86% in patients diagnosed in 5 years after the sample drawing. The test had a better sensitivity (93%) and specificity (96%) in men younger than 65 years at the time of the sample drawing compared to those older. The sensitivity further improved to 100% with a cutoff of 2.5 microg./l. CONCLUSIONS: PSA is a valid screening test for prostate cancer, which compares favorably with mammography for breast cancer. However, until an effect on mortality has been shown, routine screening cannot be recommended.     

Maternal Epstein‐Barr virus and cytomegalovirus infections and risk of testicular cancer in the offspring: a nested case‐control study

During recent decades the incidence of testicular cancer (TC) has increased rapidly around the world. Associated exogenous etiological factors might therefore be identifiable. We performed a case‐control study nested within Finnish, Swedish and Icelandic maternity cohorts exploiting early pregnancy serum samples to evaluate the role of congenital or neonatal infections with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) as risk factors of TC in the offspring. For each case‐index mother pair, three or four matched control‐control mother pairs were identified using national population registries. First trimester sera were retrieved from the index mothers of 66 TC cases and 258 matched control mothers, and were tested for antibodies to EBV and CMV. High level of maternal EBV IgG antibodies was associated with significantly increased risk of TC in the offspring (odds ratio (OR), 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15, 5.40), especially with risk of non‐seminoma TC (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.25, 5.99) and non‐seminoma TC diagnosed under 8 years of age (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.05, 7.04). In contrast, offspring of CMV IgG‐seropositive mothers had a decreased risk of TC diagnosed under 8 years of age (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14, 0.89). Our results suggest that EBV and CMV infections may be associated with TC.     

Otological manifestations in temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Forty-seven patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction were studied. A total of 100 subjective symptoms localized in the ear were encountered in thirty-nine patients. The treatment of dysfunction eradicated or reduced 56% of these symptoms. A hearing defect was established audiometrically in eight cases and the probable cause was outside the masticatory apparatus in seven cases. There was conceivably a causal relationship in one case between the patient's cochlear hearing defect and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The neuro-otological finding was pathological in nine cases, in three of which the causative agent was independent of the masticatory apparatus. The vestibular disturbance diagnosed in six cases may have originated from temporomandibular joint dysfunction, but this could not be confirmed.     

The action of F- on human alkaline phosphatases obtained from human fetal parietal bones

Abstract— Human fetal (age 8–14 weeks) parietal bones were homogenated and subjected to two different chromatographic procedures. Three distinct alkaline phosphatase enzyme preparations were obtained with DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography and six different alkaline phosphatase enzyme preparations with DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography and gel permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-200. F^- (as NaF or KF) caused a slight inhibition of the enzymic hydrolysis reaction of p-nitrophenyl phosphate produced by the three enzyme preparations, allowing calculation of the inhibition constants (Ki). When Mg²⁺ was present in the incubation media, no valid inhibition constants could be calculated for fluoride because of a non-linearity of the experimental values. The other six enzyme preparations were, however, completely unaffected by the F^- whether Mg²⁺ was present or not until a 0.166 ×10^-1 M F^- concentration level was reached in the incubation media. The F^- was still ineffective when other substrates such as Na₄P₂O₅ and α-naphthyl phosphate were used instead of p-nitraphenyl phosphate. F^- produced, however, a slight activation of the enzymic hydrolysis reaction of both p-nitrophenyl phosphate and α-naphthyl phosphate catalyzed by some enzyme preparations when phosphate was added to the incubation media.